The Green Grind Podcast | Solving Problems, Not Chasing Trends

The Green Grind Podcast: Interview with Arik Levy, Founder of YardPro

Host: Welcome to The Green Grind podcast where excuses get mulched and fluff gets left at the door. Today we’re joined by Arik Levy, a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple successful companies across industries from laundry services to smart lockers and now yard management technology. Arik, welcome to The Green Grind.

Arik Levy: Thanks, guys. I’m excited to be here.

From Tech to Dry Cleaning

Host: You’ve got quite a background. Can you start by telling us a bit about your journey and how you ended up in the landscaping and irrigation space?

Arik Levy: Sure. I actually didn’t start in this industry at all. My background is in technology. I began my career at General Electric and then moved to San Francisco during the dot-com boom. My degree was in computer systems, and I was fascinated by tech and innovation.

After losing my job during that crash, I started commuting long hours and realized I could never make it to the dry cleaner before they closed. I began leaving my laundry outside my apartment for pickup, and that sparked an idea: what if I installed lockers in apartment buildings so people could drop off and pick up their dry cleaning securely anytime?

That idea became Laundry Locker, which grew into the largest dry cleaner in San Francisco within three years. We eventually realized the software we built for our business could be licensed to others, so we shifted into becoming a software company serving dry cleaners all over the world.

Solving Problems, One Locker at a Time

Host: And that led to your next venture, right?

Arik Levy: Exactly. Our clients started asking if the lockers could also be used for package delivery since apartment buildings were getting flooded with Amazon and UPS packages. That’s how Luxer One was born. We created smart locker systems for secure package management.

That business took off quickly. Within four years, we grew from two million to over thirty million in annual revenue, working with major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy. I eventually sold the company in 2018.

Life After the Sale

Host: A lot of entrepreneurs dream about selling their business and riding off into the sunset. What was that experience actually like for you?

Arik Levy: It was incredible but not for the reason most people expect. It wasn’t about the money. It was about the weight being lifted off my shoulders. After years of long hours and stress, suddenly I could breathe again.

I stayed involved with the company for several years in an advisory role and even started a venture fund, Locker One Ventures, to invest in other locker-based startups. But over time, I realized what really drives me isn’t retirement. It’s solving problems and building things. That’s what gets me out of bed every day.

The Birth of YardPro

Host: And that mindset led you into the landscaping world with YardPro. How did that come about?

Arik Levy: After selling Luxer One, I built a new home. During construction, I noticed how often crews were digging and cutting into the ground for irrigation, electrical, and plumbing, and no one was mapping where anything was. I asked, “How am I supposed to know where all these lines are later?”

That question led to YardPro, a tool that helps property owners and landscapers map, mark, and manage their yards digitally. It combines GPS mapping, icons, and task tracking, and now we’re even building smart sensors that detect leaks and send real-time alerts. It’s all about making yard management smarter and simpler.

Building Software vs. Hardware

Host: You’ve built both physical products and software platforms. What’s the biggest difference between the two?

Arik Levy: Software is fast and flexible because you can fix bugs in minutes. Hardware takes longer. If something needs changing, you might be waiting weeks for new tooling or design.

But I love both. I have a tech background, so I can code and design systems myself. That’s a big advantage. I can take customer feedback and build new features the same day. Ultimately, both hardware and software come down to problem solving.

The Power of Recurring Revenue

Host: You mentioned recurring revenue earlier. Why is that so important for entrepreneurs?

Arik Levy: Recurring revenue is the best thing you can build into a business. It gives you predictable income, smoother cash flow, and long-term stability. At Luxer One, we sold locker hardware, but our recurring revenue from managing those systems eventually surpassed our hardware sales.

Even in industries like landscaping or HVAC, recurring models work because customers want predictability. People don’t want surprise bills when something breaks. They’d rather pay a monthly or annual fee to know their system is monitored and maintained. It’s better for them and for the business.

Looking Ahead

Host: How do you see technology shaping the landscaping industry in the next few years?

Arik Levy: Technology is going to change everything, from smart irrigation systems that detect leaks to AI tools that help schedule maintenance and predict issues before they happen. I think we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible.

At the end of the day, it all comes back to solving real problems. Whether it’s lockers, laundry, or landscapes, if you build something that genuinely makes people’s lives easier, the business will grow.